Kids! This is where all my money goes!

chevalier

With regards to clothing, please have a look at your local https://www.freecycle.org. I saw on there the other week some advertising a coat for a 9-10 year old, 'because he doesn't like it1 :eek: , so maybe there is something you can get on there.

Children are expensive. But I still wouldn't swap mine for the extra money.
chev

Smashing

My mum never bought our school photo's - reckoned they were really naff. It's not often that I'd say she has good taste.

Sallys_Savings

chevalier wrote:

With regards to clothing, please have a look at your local https://www.freecycle.org. I saw on there the other week some advertising a coat for a 9-10 year old, 'because he doesn't like it1 :eek: , so maybe there is something you can get on there.

Children are expensive. But I still wouldn't swap mine for the extra money.
chev

Theres often clothes on our freecycle too...or put a wanted notice up on there.

Gemmzie

School uniform was always budgeted for out of a few months worth of CB for us, then other clothes came after the important stuff had been bought.

I know that alot of people have to live off their CB, but this isn't the best idea because it will end (see some of the threads on the Benefits board) and you don't want to be reliant on it.

tyllwyd

I'm terrible for sneaking toys out of the pile of presents and hiding them away to be recycled as presents for someone else / donations to the summer fete etc. It does make it difficult trying to remember who gave what though so I don't give the same present back. As someone else said, if you have got a daughter there are only so many jewellery sets/stationery sets they can ever use.

Another good option is the BookPeople - they often sell sets of 10 picture books for £10, so they make good presents, especially for pre-schoolers.

Sallys_Savings

I certainly know where the OP comes from....over the years i dread think how much we have spent on the childrens activities..

Trumpet lessons
Clarinet lessons
dance classes for two children
Theatre classes for two children
running club for three children
hockey club for two children
spanish classes for one child
Football for two children
Guides, brownies, scouts, cubs

and then there is the school trips, school holidays, discos, outings, parties, bus passes, extra school books etc.

Present wise I am really stingy ...sorry but true...on my own children as well as others...but still manage to find nice pressies.

I wouldn't spend more than £5 on a party present, and normally pick new items up at car boots for £2 and less.
I have a cupboard where I put all my party presents in and try to pick them up when I go car booting. Having four children going to parties here there and everywhere it would of cost me a fortune just in a couple of months and I think I've saved quite a bit of money by buying gifts from car boots.

Over a year I'm guessing my children must go to at least 10 parties each...so that would be 40 presents at £10 = £400...ouch!!!! With me paying approx £2 a present = £80!!! It certainly mounts up.

I much prefer to use our money on memories (we call it Memory Money in our house lol) ...to use on activities like holidays/ trips etc

My daughter is going to south africa, another is going skiing at christmas and a son is going to Belgium.:eek:

Downsizing__for_sanity

"

lapat wrote:

my story

girl aged 16
boy aged 11
boy aged 3

girl in the last three months has left school
had a leavers ball £40 dress £130 limo of a friend £100 return"

If she’s 16 she’s more than able to pay a contribution – especially of things like prom dresses and limos (those “essentials”!). OK, so she has to study a bit more at college maybe, but I bet she won’t have her head in the books every night or all weekend either. Getting a little part time work will help her appreciate the value of money, important before she goes to Uni.

(PS I've just finished a year back at college as a mature student - worked P/T all the way through - got straight A's and my place at med school! So it can be done.)

carriel_2

Big thank you for that freecycle link, I've found my local one & am surprised at the number of posts on there, brilliant, will keep a look out for things we need, but will list some of my kids old clothes & shoes too, it might help someone else like me.

Penny-Pincher!!

Quite a few of our local card shops sell some lovely cards 7 for £1. I have a pressy box upstairs and pick up items for all ages when I see them silly cheap and bung them in there:D

Boots is a good place to start and Next. January sales are excellent and still have many gifts that bought earlier this year and some from last year. Also recycle pressies that I dont like-but remember to not give it to the person who bought it for you;)

BS-I totally agree with you. Holidays can be so expensive. Nothing major bought, but all the little bits here and there add up quite quickly. I only have the one and find it expensive but do always look out for the best deals if we go out etc.

HTH

PP
xx

3KIDSNOMONEY

Similar to others, always be on the lookout for presents in the sale. I would only ever spend £10 if 2 of my children were going to a party. (I have 3 kids). Sales are great for school uniform too - already got next years summer uniform. Can't really do this with shoes though, my daughter has gone to school in sandals for the now, just hope we don't have too many wet days. does anyone get good school photos? I for one am going to stop buying them if they are no good, if you have a digital camera get the kids to pose together and take a few, frame and wrap for relatives for christmas. My kids all do some extra after school activities, gym, swimming, brownies, etc. but I don't think that it is necessary for them to be doing something every night. They need some spare time and I certainly couldn't afford anything else. I think parents feel under pressure to put their children into lots of clubs - what happened to letting kids use their imagination, having a friend round for tea for some good old fashioned playing (with all those toys we feel we 'have' to buy for them). Sorry if I'm ranting, I love this website.